Proposed Housing Development at Inlands Farm: Summary for Residents

A new proposal has emerged for up to 300 homes at Inlands Farm, a greenfield site located between Wanborough and the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The land sits within the Area of Non Coalescence, a long-established buffer intended to prevent the merging of settlements and to protect the rural setting of the village. The proposal is being promoted through a consultation survey issued by Turley on behalf of the Hussey Family Trust.

The site was previously the subject of plans for a large Science Park and manufacturing complex. That scheme was refused by Swindon Borough Council and the refusal was upheld at appeal. Despite this, the landowners are now exploring residential development. The land was not included in the most recent Local Plan consultation because the Council considered it unnecessary for future housing numbers and raised concerns about drainage and ground conditions.

More than 9,300 homes are already committed within the New Eastern Villages. These developments will generate significant traffic and were the basis for the design of the Southern Connector Road. The SCR was engineered solely to support NEV flows and not to accommodate additional sites beyond the Local Plan. Any new development at Inlands Farm would lead to more traffic through the centre of Wanborough and along rural lanes that already experience congestion, pinch points and safety risks.

Environmental impacts are also a concern. The site lies close to sensitive landscapes, public rights of way, open farmland and habitats that support local wildlife. The proposed development would remove part of the remaining rural buffer and increase pressure on an area valued for its landscape quality and accessibility.

Local representatives have also warned of possible future expansion, as land surrounding the proposed site remains in the same ownership. SSPG encourages residents to review the consultation materials and submit considered responses, and to share copies with local councillors.